Role Overview:

Netgear is seeking an experienced Senior Automation QA Engineer to develop, execute, and maintain test automation frameworks and scripts for our Pro AV switch products.

The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in accelerating product validation cycles, improving test coverage, and contributing to our CI/CD pipeline integration efforts.

This is an onsite role at our San Jose headquarters, with opportunities to work closely with cross-functional teams, including QA, Development, and Product Engineers.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Automation Test Development
   • Develop robust and reusable Python-based automation test scripts using Pytest, Playwright, and Selenium.
   • Build end-to-end UI automation and CLI-based automation for network switch products and related web interfaces.
   • Implement API-level automation testing where applicable.
   • Build modular and scalable automation suites to validate new features and conduct regression testing.
2. Test Case Analysis and Development
   • Collaborate with cross functional QA teams to analyze test cases and ensure test steps are optimized, simplified, and cover all key validation checkpoints.
   • Design and document test cases based on feature requirements, product specifications, and networking protocols.
   • Ensure maximum test coverage across functional, performance, and negative test cases.
3. Debugging and Defect Analysis
   • Execute automated test suites and analyze failures to isolate issues.
   • Work closely with Product Engineers and Developers to troubleshoot automation failures and escalate software issues.
   • Support root cause analysis and document defects clearly using bug-tracking tools like JIRA.
4. Regression Testing and Release Support
   • Execute automated regression testing as part of product release cycles.
   • Ensure test execution aligns with product release schedules and quality standards.
   • Continuously enhance automation coverage as new features are introduced.
5. Testbed Setup and Network Topology Configuration
   • Set up, configure, and maintain automation testbeds.
   • Deploy network topologies with VLANs, LAG, STP, and other L2 protocols to replicate real-world customer environments.
   • Automate testbed setup using Python utilities/scripts where feasible.
6. CI/CD Pipeline Integration
   • Work with the development and DevOps teams to integrate automation suites into CI/CD pipelines.
   • Configure automated test triggers on code commits and ensure continuous feedback to development teams.
   • Collaborate on creating dashboards to monitor automation test results.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in networking product testing, with a focus on switch, router, or network device validation.
• Strong Python programming skills (minimum 3 years of hands-on development experience).
• Hands-on experience with automation frameworks (Pytest, Playwright, Selenium).
• Familiarity with L2 networking protocols (VLAN, LAG, LLDP, ARP, STP).
• Network configuration and troubleshooting using CLI.
• Experience in network-related application testing and network environment setup.
• Strong knowledge of Linux-based test environments.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of REST APIs and experience writing API test automation scripts.
• Familiarity with Packet capture tools (e.g., Wireshark) and network debugging.
• Knowledge of Docker, Jenkins, and Ansible for testbed automation.
• Prior experience in Pro AV, multimedia switching, or IP-based video distribution products is a plus.
• Familiarity with L/3 networking protocols.

Company Statement/Values:

At NETGEAR, we are on a mission to unleash the full potential of connectivity with intelligent solutions that delight and protect. We turn ideas into innovative networking products that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live.

We're a performance-driven, talented and diverse team that's committed to delivering world-class products for our customers. As a company, we value our employees as the most essential building blocks of our success. And as teammates, we commit to taking our work to the Next Gear by living our values: we Dare to Transform the future, Connect and Delight our customers, Communicate Courageously with each other and collaborate to Win It Together . You’ll find our values woven through our processes, present in our decisions, and celebrated throughout our culture.

We strive to attract top talent and create a great workplace where people feel engaged, inspired, challenged, proud and respected. If you are creative, forward-thinking, passionate about technology and are looking for a rewarding career to make an impact, then you've got what it takes to succeed at NETGEAR. Join our network and help us shape the future of connectivity.

NETGEAR is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.